COTR - Theatre (COTR)

Students can earn credit from their experience in construction, and/or running of University Theatre shows. Theatre majors need three performance credits to graduate.

Students can earn credit from their experience in construction, and/or running of University Theatre shows. Theatre majors need three performance credits to graduate.

Students can earn credit from their experience in construction, and/or running of University Theatre shows. Theatre majors need three performance credits to graduate.

An elementary introduction to the general principles of planning, preparation, organization and skills required for the technical presentation of theatre production. Students will learn creative problem solving with traditional tools and unique materials to make the magic of theatre.

An exploration of American Theatre, its conditions, and cultural ideas from colonial times to early modern drama through the study of plays, playwrights, and performance. Students will use dramaturgy as a tool to study plays in their physical, social, political, and economic context. By understanding the context, they should gain an appreciation for the play and its cultural significance.

A survey of theatre as history, culture and experience, whose meaning is grasped through an understanding of the encounter between those who create theatre (performers, writers, directors, designers and technicians) and those who view it (members of the audience).

This course explores cultural viewpoints through theatre and how theatre addresses difficult topics of culture and race. Through the writings of international playwrights and the study of the performance of their plays, students will experience multiple points of view on the human condition throughout the world. Many world communities stage performance as expressions of their cultural ideals, their dreams and their frustrations that are unique to their culture while still expressing human values of love, respect and hope.

Emphasis on development of the speaking voice to enhance leadership presence and training the voice for performance for the sage, screen, or boardroom.

Methods of building a character. Exercises in vocal and physical control, observation, imagination, concentration and pace. Elementary stage technique and performance deportment. (Formerly COTR 3620.)

Drama and its presentation from the Greek amphitheater to the Renaissance stage to the spectacles of the 19th century: “Life upon the wicked stage.” Explore the theories and practices of drama; the players, their theatrical conditions, and the spectacle as it has sought to inform society, culture and the human condition.

To gain an understanding of the creative and influential role theatre plays in society through the interaction of art and culture. If theatre is the mirror of society, then what does it say about who we are? Through readings, videos, lecture, and research, students will explore the rich history of theatre’s social role from Russia’s Moscow Art Theatre NY Public Theatre up to the late 20th century. The focus will be on groundbreaking playwrights, directors, and producers of modern theatre.

Methods of directing a play as described in the literature on play direction. Exercises in researching a play, casting, blocking the action, rehearsing, developing timing and pace, and coordinating all elements of a play.

Principles of dramatic composition, plot construction, characterization and dialogue are studied through a close, practical analysis of Aristotle’s Poetics, as well as of classic plays. Each student writes a one-act play. 3

Thorough grounding in light sources, instruments and their accessories used in theatre and studio layouts. Special emphasis is given to lighting principles and dramatic interpretation in terms of lighting. Students design lighting and develop lighting plans for productions and/or scenes as class projects and outside assignments. Prerequisite: a minimum of one course in theatre, TV or film.

Course develops the discipline of stylized acting techniques and explores the history of Greek, Shakespearean and Restoration theatre.

Study abroad course that covers British theatre and history culminating in a week long trip to London visiting historic sights and viewing several theatre performances. Usually included are tours to Westminster Abbey, backstage tours of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum as well as workshops at The Globe Theatre and theatre performances in the West End and with The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Particular sights and productions are subject to availability at the time of the trip. Instructor’s approval required.

This will be a team-taught course covering the principles and techniques essential to success in the conjoined worlds of directing and acting for the camera, and as such is a course for both actors and directors. It introduces each to the concepts and language specific to each other's discipline and works to provide each with a fuller understanding of how to collaboratively and creatively create. Areas covered will include auditioning, breaking down scripts, blocking for camera, on-set communications, the proper use of improv, etc. The course will both utilize the TV studio where students can work in front of live cameras in order to immediately see results of their work and out-of-class assignments to further their skills.

In theatres throughout Ireland, the Irish stage presents the collective voice of Irish Catholic playwrights. Steeped in myth, ritual, and history, these authors used their plays to examine the rich texture of life woven together by faith, politics, family, and community and, by whose intersection, results in conflicts and choices that reflect a deeper, transcendent meaning. Through the readings of Thomas Merton and examples of ritualistic theatre found in the Bible, the course builds on the lessons of CORE I and II to explore further Catholic principles and intellectual Catholic tradition expressed by themes found in Irish drama. As a CORE III course, students will read Irish plays, view their performance and discuss the common themes of belief, choices and the flaws of motivated reasoning that form biases in poor decisions versus transcendent ones that are the foundation of Irish drama.

A required capstone course for Theatre majors. Students will discuss and write about contemporary theatre drawn from their experience of seeing shows in New York City.